Combination storm sash and screen with foldable section



March 31, 1959 N. 1:. ETTEN 2,879,840

COMBINATION STORM SASH AND SCREEN} WITH FOLDABLE SECTION Filed Sept. 29, 1954 2 Sheds-Sheet 1 I INVENTOR. IV/ cwou-s L. Errs/v z TORNEYS March 31, 1959 N. L. EYTTEN 7 COMBINATION STORM SASl-I AND SCREEN WITH FOLDABLE SECTION Filed Sept. '29, 1954 2 Sheets-Slieet 2 1N VEN TOR. Nicklaus L. Err-EN AT'TO EYS United States Patent f COMBINATION STORM SASH AND SCREEN WITH FOLDABLE SECTION Nicholas L. Etten, Cedar Falls, Iowa Application September 29, 1954, Serial No. 459,036

3 Claims. (Cl. 160-91) This invention relates to improvements in a combined storm and screen unit for mounting over a window or other opening in a building or the like, which may be employed wholly as a storm window or partially as a ventilation unit, although the invention may have other uses and purposes as will be apparent to one skilled in the art.

More specifically, the unit includes a frame which carries a glazed portion and a screened portion separated by a cross bar, an individual storm sash pivotally hinged on said cross bar whereby it may be swung into nesting relationship with the glazed portion or the screened portion, and means for swingably mounting the unit on a window frame of a building.

Heretofore, in order to install a storm window or a combination storm and screen unit, it has been necessary to employ a skilled practitioner, since the storm and sash units were of complicated construction and had to be specially fitted for each window frame. Also, wherein a separate storm sash was provided to interchange with a screen sash while being stored within the upper portion of the window frame, it had to be loosely hung or wedged therein so that it may be later taken down; and sometimes in these cases, when the interchangeable storm sash'was improperly positioned or embodied faulty construction, it fell upon the changers hands seriously injuring him and frequently fracturing the storm sash, thereby causing the user additional unavoidable expense. Moreover, it has been objectionable in the past, since where it has been necessary or desirable to at least partially dismantle the storm and screen units, tremendous difficulty has been encountered. Applicant has not only obviated the above named difficulties, but he has also provided a novel storm and screen unit with many more desirable features.

With the foregoing in mind, it is an object of this invention to provide a combination storm and screen unit of simple and economical construction which may be easily installed on a window frame or removed therefrom by the unskilled practitioner or layman.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a combination storm and screen unit which may be easily converted from a complete storm window unit to a ventilating unit by merely pivoting a storm sash from one position to another.

Another object of this invention is to provide a combination storm and screen unit swingably mounted on a window frame of a building, wherein if it is desired, for cleaning purposes, the storm and sash unit may be, by virtue of its unique mounting arrangement, swung or projected outwardly from the window frame and then pivoted on its mounting so that a window washer situated within the building may easily have access to the outside of such a unit.

Still another object of this invention is the provision of a combination storm and screen unitto be swingably mounted in association with a conventional window frame or opening of a building or the like, of a size so that the unit overlies the marginal edges of the window frame,

Patented Mar. 31, 1959 'ice . thereby precluding the necessity of specially fitting each storm and sash unit individually to each and every window frame, and also permitting a single size storm and screen unit to accommodate, within reasonable limits, various sizes of window frames.

A specific object of the invention is to provide a combination storm and screen unit with means for mounting it in association with a conventional window frame of a building, including a substantially U-shaped bracket pivotally supported along the back side within the window frame, with its arms extending freely therefrom to pivotal- 1y support the combination storm and screen unit, permitting the unit to be pulled out of its position over the window frame and pivoted relative to the arms.

While some of the more salient features, characteristics and advantages of the instant invention have been above pointed out, others will become apparent-from the following disclosures, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which;

Figure l is a perspective view of the invention shown mounted in its closed position over a window frame of a building structure;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the invention showing the sash frame pivoted away from the window frame and revealing the mounting arrangement;

Figure 3 is another perspective view of the invention showing the storm and sash unit pivoted reversely or counterclockwise from the position of Fig. 2, also indicating the manner in which the storm sash is pivoted from the lower screen portion to the upper storm portion;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective exploded view of the hinge means employed in pivotally mounting the combination storm and screen unit on the supporting means;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary elevational view of one of the retaining assemblies for pivotally holding the-sash carrying rod within the window frame;

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 1, but illustrating an alternative embodiment wherein the swingable storm sash is mounted on the inside of the sash frame;

Figure 7 is a view of the embodiment in Figure 6,

showing the sash frame in an outward position away from in both embodiments.

Now referring to the drawings, a conventional window the window frame and the storm sash in its lower position covering the screen;

Figure 8 is another perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 6 illustrating the sash frame in another position and also indicating how the storm sash is swung from its lower position to its upper position; and

1 Figure 9 is a fragmentary elevational view of the tapered socket and complementally formed stirrup assembly with a pivot being utilized at-the bottom of the window frame frame 10 of a building 11 supports the combination storm and screen unit, generally indicated by numeral 12, by a supporting means, generally designated at 13.

Referring now generally to Figures 1, 2 and 3, the sash frame 12 carries a light or window pane 14 in its upper portion and a screen 15 in its lower portion. Enclosing'the light and screen are side rails 16, top rail. 17, and bottom rail- 18 of the sash frame 12. Separating the upper pane 14 and the lower screen 15 and se- I The sash framerails and cross bar may be formed ofcured to the side rails 16 of the sash frame 12 is a transverse or cross bar 19 upon the outer side of whichis pivotally hinged a storm sash or glazed sash 20 by hinges 21. The side, top and bottom rails of sash frame a 12 are recessed at their inner edges at 22 for receiving the storm sash 20 in juxtaposition with the glazed portion 14 or the screen portion 15. Pivotal fasteners 23 or other suitable means may be provided to lock the storm sash 20 in the upper or lower position, selectively.

aluminum, wood, or any other suitable material, while the screen may be of aluminum, copper, or the like.

The storm sash 20, while locked in its lower position, as shown in Figure 1, serves to provide a complete storm Window enclosing the screen on the inside during the winter or cold weather season while, in warm weather, when it is desired to convert tthe unit for ventilation purposes, the lower storm sash 20 is pivoted upwardly into juxtaposition with the upper glazed portion 14 for storage purposes, allowing the combination storm and screen unit to ventilate the interior of the building. While not shown, it would be within the scope of the invention to provide a sealing means, such as a rubber or cork gasket around the inner edges of the storm sash 20 or in the recess 22 adjacent the screen 15 to provide a tight, weather-sealed unit.

The aforesaid supporting means 13 includes a U- shaped pivot rod 13a holding the combination storm and screen unit 12 in operative position on the window frame 10. The yoke of this U-shaped pivot rod 13a is mounted along the. inner face of either side stile of the window frame 10. Attached to the window frame by screws or other suitable means are a plurality of tapering sockets 25, and the stirrups 24 which are disposed over the rod carry oppositely disposed flange portions 24a which are complementally and removably received in the tapering sockets 25. At the top, the upper outwardly extending rod arm of the pivot rod 13a carries an apertured end 26, as most clearly shown in Figure 4, and this end freely receives a pivot pin 27 depending from a lug 28 secured by screws or other suitable means to the top rail 17 of sash frame 12. At the bottom, the lower outwardly extending rod arm of the pivot rod carries an apertured end which cooperates with a pin and lug in a substantial identical manner as described with reference to the upper arm.

Mounting the combination storm and screen unit 12 requires little effort and no special skill. It is simply necessary to secure the sockets 25 to the frame, place the pivot rod 13a in position, place the stirrups 24 over the rod and press them into the sockets. Then a simple downward movement of the sash frame relative to the pivot rod 130 drops the first pins 27 into the apertures in the ends 26 of the rod arms and conversely, a simple elevation of the sash frame removes it. The sash frame 12 pivots relatively to the U-shaped pivot rod 13a which, in turn, pivots in stirrups 24 relatively to the window frame opening which receives the rod arms, thus giving the effect of a reversed hinge, in that the entire sash frame may be pivoted outwardly from the window and then the sash frame further pivoted relatively to the rod. By this maneuver, it is possible to have the outside of the sash frame adjacent the window opening, as shown in Figure 3, so that cleansing of it is made easy from within the building. Also, the ease of manipulation of the sash frame 12 away from the window frame allows for more simplified window cleaning.

As shown most clearly in Figure 9, the U-shaped pivot rod 13a is provided at its lower vertical end with a rounded portion 29 which defines a pivot rest for the rod. Protecting the window sill from undue wear caused by the pivot rest 29 is a bearing plate 39 which conforms to the inclination of the window sill and is attached to the lower tapered socket 25a by an upwardly extending plate member 31.

The sash frame 12 is oversized to cover the marginal edges of the window frame and overlie the window sill at the bottom, and if desired, suitable sealing means for weather-proofing may be provided between the sash frame rails and the window frame. Obviously, no special fitting is needed and the same unit may accommodate windows varying in size through a reasonable range. Any suitable fastening means may be provided to hold the sash frame 12 against the window frame, such as hooks and eyes 32 on the outside casing of the window frame, or hooks 33 on the inside of the sash frame appropriately formed to engage eyes within the window frame.

Referring now to Figures 6, 7 and 8, wherein similar numerals already used are applied to similar elements, a modified combination storm and screen unit 12' is illustrated, and is similar to that above described, with one exception. That exception relates to the mounting of the pivotal storm sash 20' wherein in this instance, the storm sash is pivoted to the cross bar on the inside thereof as shown most clearly in Figure 7. In this embodiment, when it is desired to convert the sash frame 12', according to the seasonal demands, it is necessary to pivot the sash frame outwardly away from the window frame and then juxtapose the storm sash 20', either with the upper glazed portion 14 or the lower screen portion 15. Any form of locking means may be utilized to maintain the storm sash in its upper or lower positions, and a hook and eye arrangement, indicated at 34, is herein illustrated. As was described in connection with the first embodiment, the same mounting arrangcment is provided, which allows the sash frame to be pivoted to many different positions for window cleaning purposes.

From the foregoing description, it will be readily seen that the combination storm and screen sash frame construction constituting the present invention may be easily mounted or removed from a window frame, is advantageous in connection with window cleaning and is easily adjusted in accordance with the yearly seasons.

It is obvious that changes may be made in the form and construction of the invention without departing from the material spirit thereof. It is not, therefore, desired to confine the invention to the exact form herein shown and described, but it is desired to include all such as would properly come within the scope claimed.

I claim as my invention:

1. A combination storm and screen unit easily mounted over a previously installed window frame in a building, comprising a sash frame of greater size than the opening provided by the building window frame, a transverse bar centrally of said sash frame, said sash frame being glazed above said bar and screened below said bar, a glazed storm sash pivoted to said bar to swing upwardly over the glazed part of the sash frame or downwardly over the screened part, and pivot means connecting the entire unit to the building window frame and shaped to permit the unit as a whole to be swung away from the building frame.

2. A combination storm and screen unit easily mounted over a previously installed window frame in a building, comprising a sash frame of greater size than the opening provided by the building window frame and having parallel side rails, top and bottom rails connects ing said side rails together and a transverse bar connected between said side rails centrally of said sash frame, said sash frame being glazed above said bar and screened below said bar, a glazed storm sash pivoted to said bar to swing upwardly over the glazed part of said sash frame or downwardly over the screened part thereof, means retaining said glazed storm sash in its upwardly and. downwardly extended positions, and pivot means connecting the entire unit to the building window frame and shaped to permit the unit as a whole to be swung away from the building frame comprising link means pivotally mounted along the inside of the Window frame for movement about a vertical axis extending along one side of the window frame, and means pivotally supporting the unit of said link means intermediate the ends of said top and bottom rails.

3. A combination storm and screen unit easily mounted over a previously installed window frame in a building, comprising a sash frame of greater size than the opening provided by the building window frame and having parallel spaced side rails, top and bottom rails connecting said side rails together and a transverse bar connected between said side rails centrally of said top and bottom rails, said sash frame being glazed above said bar and screened below said bar, a glazed storm sash pivoted to said bar to swing upwardly over the glazed part of the sash frame or downwardly over the screened part thereof, means retaining said glazed storm sash in its upwardly and downwardly extended positions, and pivot means connecting the entire unit to the window frame and shaped to permit the unit as a whole to be swung away from the building frame comprising a substantially U-shaped rod having a yoke extending vertically just inside the window frame and pivotally mounted thereon for movement about a vertical axis and having arms extending from opposite sides of said yoke pivotally supporting said sash frame intermediate the ends of said top and bottom bars.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

